Arsenal Make Approach in Signing Swansea City Skipper Ashley Williams

Arsenal are preparing a move in signing Swansea City centre-back Ashley Williams, according to the Metro.

The report claims the north London side were interested in securing his services in the summer of 2013 as Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of the defender. The Gunners are set to reignite their interest in bringing Williams to the Emirates in the coming transfer window.

The 29-year-old has one year left on his contract at the Liberty Stadium and has not signed an extension with the Welsh club. Failing to sign a new deal will see Williams leave Swansea for nothing next summer.

Williams has turned down the opportunity to sign an extension and is considering a move away from Swansea this summer. The Wales international's situation at Swansea has alerted Arsenal, who are keen on landing the centre-back.

Swansea will allow Williams to leave the club for a transfer fee of £3m and the Gunners are ready to pay it to the Welsh club. Wenger is looking to bring in reinforcements as the Frenchman looks to add more quality to his side's central defending position.

Arsenal have the services of Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen as the first choice centre-backs at the Emirates. The Belgium international has seen his playing time being reduced and on a few occasions has been played out of position.

Vermaelen's agent earlier admitted that his client could leave the Emirates in the summer transfer window. However, Wenger has stressed the importance of keeping the defender at the club.

The addition of Williams to Arsenal's squad will see Wenger give him more options in the central defending position. The Gunners are looking to seal the deal for the Swansea skipper, irrespective of whether Vermaelen stays or leaves the north London side.

Williams admitted he would sit with Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins and discuss his future at the Liberty Stadium in the summer.

"I'll think about my future at the end of the season. There's not much to think about really because I've got another year left and I haven't spoken to the chairman about it," Williams said.

"I haven't mentioned it to him and he hasn't mentioned it to me but at some point we'll sit down and talk."